System for the connection of glasses to a strap

ABSTRACT

A System for the connection of glasses to a respective restraint strap, in particular to attach the strap to the two temples of spectacles, characterized in that the system comprises:—a first channel ( 3 ) suitable to receive said strap (L) or to receive a connecting portion (L′) interposed between said strap (L) and a rod ( 2 ) of the glasses ( 1 ); said channel ( 3 ) being open in a first end ( 30 ) in correspondence of an intermediate zone of the rod ( 2 );—fixing means ( 6 ) for fixing to the rod ( 2 ) of the glasses ( 1 ) one end of the strap (L) or one end of said connecting portion (L′).

The present invention relates to a system for the connection of glasseswith a respective strap or restraint chain, and, in particular, a systemfor attaching the strap or chain to the rods of the frame of theeyeglasses.

It is known the use of straps and chains for eyeglasses.

These straps or chains are constituted by a flexible thread-like bodyprovided at the ends with two rings, usually made of rubber, to befitted on the temples of eyeglasses.

The solutions currently on the market are, however, often impractical,because the rubber rings are moved frequently, they may break and caninterfere with the proper operation of the hinge when moving forwards,ie are brought in correspondence with the part of the glasses where itis expected the hinge between the front and temples.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a system for theconnection of glasses with a respective restraint strap or chain able tosolve the drawbacks mentioned above.

Among the advantages of the present invention there is that the systemallows a very convenient and safe use of the glasses to which it isassociated.

These and other advantages and features of the present invention will bebest understood by anyone skilled in the art from the followingdescription and with the help of the attached drawings given as apractical exemplification of the invention, but not to be considered ina limitative sense, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a frame with a detail in enlargedscale;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a rod for spectacles made inaccordance with the present invention, with a detail in enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cap made in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4, 5, 6 show another embodiment of the system in accordance withthe invention, with an intermediate portion of the rod shownschematically in side view in different stages of assembly of the strap,and with a particular relative to the rear of the rod, visible only inFIG. 6;

FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of the system in accordance with theinvention, with an intermediate portion of the rod shown schematicallyin side view with the strap mounted.

For a more efficient graphical representation, the figures of theaccompanying drawings are not to scale with each other and many partsare represented in a schematic way; in the description we use the termstrap indicating by this word is not only a strap, but also a chain, anelastic, a wire, or other similar element usable for this purpose havinga fixed length or which can be stretched.

As stated above, the system of the invention is usable for theconnection of spectacles (1) to a relative restraint strap (L), inparticular to constrain the strap to the two temples of eyeglasses.

The strap (L) can be connected directly to the glasses (1) or through aconnecting portion (L1) which is interposed between the rods of theglasses and the strap (L). In practice, instead of directly connect thestrap (L) to the auction of the glasses, can be used the connectingportion (L1) which can be provided (as schematically shown in the detailof FIG. 1) with a snap hook (5) or similar engagement means so as toallow the attachment of one end provided with ring (50) of strap (L).

In accordance with the invention, a system for the connection of theglasses to a respective restraint strap, and in particular for fixingthe strap to the two temples of spectacles, comprises:

-   -   a first channel (3) suitable to receive said strap (L) or to        receive a connecting portion (L′) interposed between said        strap (L) and a rod (2) of the glasses (1); said channel (3)        being open in a first end (30) in correspondence of an        intermediate zone of the rod (2);    -   fixing means (6) for fixing to the rod (2) of the glasses (1)        one end of the strap (L) or one end of said connecting portion        (L′).

In particular, with reference to the examples of FIGS. 4-7, the channel(3) can be internal to the body of the rod (2) and can extend from theintermediate zone of the rod (2) to the rear end (20) of the same rod,where it has an opening (21) output for the strap (L) or for saidconnecting portion (L′). In this case, the fixing means (6) are formedby a second channel (3′), having a seat (33) open in the proximity ofthe first end (30) of first channel (3), and intended to receive stablythe end of the strap (L) or of the connecting portion (L′) to constrainit to the same rod (2).

In the example shown, the second channel (3′) extends inclined, with theseat (33) arranged in front; said second channel being arranged parallelto the development of the first channel (3) in the proximity of said end(30).

In the figures have been used the letters (A) and (P) to indicate thefront area and, respectively, rear area of the glasses (1).

In the example of FIGS. 4-6 the second channel (3′) extends inclineddownwardly, by presenting said seat (33) open on the lower side (2 b) ofthe rod (2), while the example of FIG. 7, the second channel (3′)extends inclined upwardly, presenting the said seat (33) open on theupper side (2 a) of the rod (2) and arranged in front with respect tothe rest of the same channel (3′), channel which is arranged parallel tothe development of said first channel (3) in the vicinity of said end(30).

In FIGS. 1-6 are shown different stages of the fastening of the strap(L) to the rod (2). Initially (see FIG. 4) one end (La) of the strap (L)is introduced into the first channel (3), pushed towards the rear zone(P) of the rod (2). Subsequently (see FIG. 5), the other end of thestrap (Lb) is introduced in the seat (33) of the second channel (3′).The strap (L) is then pulled from the back (20) of the rod, through theoutlet (21), determining the tightening of the same strap (L) incorrespondence of the fixing means (6) just described. The end (Lb) ofthe strap (L) is thus fixed to the rod (2).

When this fixing has been executed, for fixing the end (La) to the otherrod of the glasses, the same end (La) will introduce in the channel (3),through the hole (21) of the other rod (2), until the strap (L) goes outfrom the hole (30). The end (La) is then introduced in the seat (33) ofthe second rod (2) and, with traction of the same strap (L) from therear of the rod, it will determine the fixing also of the extremity (La)to the glasses. The assembly relative to the example of FIG. 7 issimilar to that just described for the example of FIGS. 4-6.

With reference to the example of FIGS. 1-3, the fixing means (6) arearranged at the rear end (20) of the same rod and comprise a secondchannel (3′) open in proximity of an opening defined by the second ends(31) of the first channel (3); the second channel (3′) is separated fromthe same end (31) by means of a section of reduced thickness (6),adapted to clamp the end of the strap (L), or the end of the connectingportion (L′) when used.

In particular, with reference to FIGS. 1-2, the first channel (3) isformed in the body of the rod (2) and the fixing means (6) comprise asecond channel (3′) open in the vicinity of a second opening (31) of thefirst channel, separated from the said second opening (31) by means of asection of reduced thickness (6), adapted to clamp the end of the strap(L) or the first end (L1) of the connecting portion (L′).

Furthermore, the second channel (3′) extends inclined, presenting theopening (31) arranged in front, i.e. on the side nearest to the area ofthe spectacle lenses (1).

In the example of FIG. 3, the first channel (3) is formed in the body ofa cap made of elastically deformable material (4), which can be fittedon the rear of the rod (2). In practice, the system comprises a rubbercap or a cap of similar material with elastic characteristics, adaptedto be fitted on the rear part of the rod, allowing to the strap (L) orto the connecting portion (L1) to going out in correspondence of themiddle zone of the rod. In FIG. 3, the second channel (3′) is also shownin dashed lines to indicate another possible arrangement of the samechannel with respect to the cap (4).

Naturally, the invention is not limited to those described andillustrated, but may be widely varied with regard to the nature andarrangement of the materials used, without departure from the inventiveteaching above and claimed below.

1. System for the connection of glasses to a respective restraint strap,in particular to attach the strap to the two temples of spectacles,characterized in that the system comprises: a first channel (3) suitableto receive said strap (L) or to receive a connecting portion (L′)interposed between said strap (L) and a rod (2) of the glasses (1); saidchannel (3) being open in a first end (30) in correspondence of anintermediate zone of the rod (2); fixing means (6) for fixing to the rod(2) of the glasses (1) one end of the strap (L) or one end of saidconnecting portion (L′).
 2. System according to claim 1 characterized inthat:—said channel (3) is internal to the body of the rod (2) andextends from the intermediate zone of the rod (2) to the rear end (20)of the same rod, where it has an opening (21) of output for said strap(L) or to said connecting portion (1/); said fixing means (6) are formedby a second channel (3′), having a seat (33) open in the proximity ofthe first end (30) of said channel (3), and intended to receive stablythe end of said strap (L) or of said connecting portion (1/) toconstrain it to the same rod (2).
 3. System according to claim 2characterized in that said second channel (3′) extends inclined, havingsaid seat (33) arranged in front, said channel (3′) being arrangedparallel to the development of said first channel (3) in the proximityof said end (30).
 4. System according to claim 2 characterized in thatsaid second channel (3′) extends inclined downwardly, by presenting thesaid seat (33) open on the lower side (2 b) of the rod (2) and arrangedin front with respect to the rest of the channel (3′) thereof, which isarranged parallel to the development of said first channel (3) in theproximity of said end (30).
 5. System according to claim 2 characterizedin that said second channel (3′) extends inclined upwardly, bypresenting the said seat (33) open on the upper side (2 a) of the rod(2) and arranged forwardly of the rest of the channel (3′) thereof,which is arranged parallel to the development of said first channel (3)in the proximity of said end (30).
 6. System according to claim 1characterized in that the fixing means (6) are arranged at the rear end(20) of the same rod and comprise a second channel (3′) open inproximity of an, opening defined by the second ends (31) of the firstchannel (3), said second channel (3′) being separated from the same end(31) by means of a section of reduced thickness (6), adapted to clampthe end of said strap (L) or the end of the connecting portion (L′). 7.System according to claim 6 characterized in that said channel (3) isformed in the body of said rod (2) and that the fixing means (6)comprise a second channel (3′) open in the proximity of a second opening(31) of the first channel, separated from said second opening (31) bymeans of a section of reduced thickness (6), adapted to clamp the end ofsaid strap (L) or said first end (LI) of the connecting portion (L′). 8.System according to claim 7 characterized in that said second channel(3′) extends inclined, by presenting said opening (31) arranged infront.
 9. System according to claim 6, characterized in that said firstchannel (3) is formed in the body of a cap made of elasticallydeformable material (4), which can be fit on the rear of the rod (2).10. System according to claim 1 characterized in that the connectingportion (L′) is provided with a snap hook (5) or similar engagementmeans so as to allow the attachment of one end (50) of said strap (L).